Media

Project Synopsis

Twitter Version

What happens when you make healthy food cheaper by growing artists and entrepreneurs? The Community Ecosystem.

Short

The Community Ecosystem is all about finding the win-win scenarios. We’re starting by providing support to entrepreneurs, organic food to underserved areas in Atlanta, and making a profit while we do so. And that’s just the start – in the long run, the goal is to feed the entire world, and eliminate the majority of the fertilizers, pesticides and fossil fuels used by modern agriculture in the process.

Medium

The Community Ecosystem is all about finding the win-win scenarios. We’re starting by providing support to entrepreneurs, organic food to underserved areas in Atlanta, and making a profit while we do so. And that’s just the start – in the long run, the goal is to feed the entire world, and eliminate the majority of the fertilizers, pesticides and fossil fuels used by modern agriculture in the process. Plus there’s the improvements to quality of life for those they serve, the potential shift to make grass fed meat sustainable for the planet, and let’s not forget all the businesses that will gain traction in the Ecosystem’s startup incubators… suddenly win-win seems an inadequate description, doesn’t it?

Team Bios

Kirsten Simmons

Kirsten is a polymath, thinker and doer who was literally knocked into gardening. She is the founder of the Community Ecosystem.

Short

In 2012, Kirsten hit her head on the inside of a bus, suffered a concussion, and accidentally started a community garden. After doing everything wrong the first time (including getting evicted), she’s grown her ambitions and is the founder of The Community Ecosystem – a company she expects will be feeding your great-grandchildren.

Medium

Kirsten Simmons holds a BS in Animal Science, a BA in Spanish Language and Literature, an MPH in Global Environmental Health, and has opted to start a farm. But not just any farm – the soil she has in mind will grow not only fresh, organic produce for urban dwellers, but also young entrepreneurs, affordable off-grid housing, community engagement and sustainable citizens. Oh, and it will be franchised, so that 150 years from now, all of us will be eating from our own local Community Ecosystem site.

In 2012, Kirsten accidentally started a community garden and began incorporating it into the local elementary classrooms before the landowner squashed the thriving green space under a brick patio. She’s since pursued certifications in urban gardening and permaculture design. Outside of gardening, she’s built and sold a jewelry line, written the world’s first guided adventure productivity workbook, and built a mathematical model that debunked the commonly accepted duration of immunity to norovirus gastroenteritis.

Follow along as we work towards launching the first Community Ecosystem in Atlanta!